Zon LI, Youssoufian H, Mather C, Lodish HF, Orkin SH. Activation of the erythropoietin receptor promoter by transcription factor GATA-1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1991 Dec 01; 88(23):10638-41.

Citation

Zon LI, Youssoufian H, Mather C, Lodish HF, Orkin SH. 1991. Activation of the erythropoietin receptor promoter by transcription factor GATA-1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 88(23):10638-41. Pubmed: 1660143

Abstract

Erythropoietin, a glycoprotein produced by the kidneys in response to anemia and hypoxia, is a major growth factor for cells of the erythroid lineage. Erythropoietin interacts with high-affinity cell surface receptors (EpoR) present on developing progenitors and is required for their survival. Previously we characterized the gene for EpoR and demonstrated that its promoter acts in a cell-specific manner. Here we show that the hematopoietic-specific transcription factor GATA-1 is necessary, and indeed is sufficient as the sole cell-restricted regulator, for activation of the EpoR promoter in fibroblast transfection assays. Hence, GATA-1, which participates in transcriptional control of the majority of erythroid-expressed genes, also acts on the promoter of an essential lineage-restricted receptor (EpoR). This central contribution of GATA-1 to EpoR promoter function provides a mechanism whereby a cell-restricted regulator may ensure the viability and subsequent maturation of progenitor cells during hematopoietic differentiation.

Related Faculty

Leonard Zon, M.D.

Zon Lab

The Zon laboratory aims to dissect how assaults to the hematopoietic system cause severe diseases such as leukemias, lymphomas, and anemias. They investigate hematopoietic development and disease using chemical screens, genetic screens, and analysis of novel transgenic lines in zebrafish.